Whether you’re building a theater set, making housings for historical artifacts or working on model trains, a heavy-duty hot knife can be a handy tool. This electric tool with a super-heated blade can cut and shape synthetic materials like carpets, gaskets, sailcloth, webbing and ropes. It’s also found in laboratories, kitchens and hobby and craft stores.
How to Use a Hot Knife for Cutting Plastic
Using a hot knife can be a great way to make cuts in plastic, but it’s important to know how to use one safely before you start. The wrong tool can damage the material or cause injury. In addition, a hot knife can burn you if it’s used improperly.
The best way to determine if your knife is safe to use for cutting plastic is to test it on a scrap piece of plastic first. If it cuts smoothly, without a problem like smoking or a bad smell, the knife is safe to use on your project.
To cut plastic, you’ll need a tool with a sharp blade and good balance. If the blade isn’t sharp enough, it could nick the surface of the plastic or snag on something, which can be dangerous. Likewise, if the tool is too heavy, it may be too difficult to control.
You can also use a fine-toothed saw to make accurate, straight cuts in plastic, especially when you’re removing large chunks of plastic. To do this, clamp the plastic to a work surface with a C-clamp and move the saw in smooth, quick back-and-forth motions. You can also use a pair of scissors or a small utility knife to cut through plastic, but the results will be less accurate than if you use a tool with a blade that’s designed for this type of work.
A jigsaw can also be useful for curved or rounded cuts in thin or thick plastic sheets. This is a better choice than a utility knife, though, because a jigsaw can be used to make a smooth, flat edge along the length of the sheet of plastic.
Another option for cutting plastic is to use a hand-held power drill with drill bits of different sizes. This will make it easier to remove a section of plastic, since the drill bit is small enough that you can cut through thicker plastics with it.
Alternatively, you can try a string or a fine-toothed saw. These tools are available at many hobby and craft stores, and will help you create accurate and clean cuts in any type of plastic.
The best way to use a jigsaw is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use it. This will ensure that you get the most precise cuts possible and keep the material from melting.
If you’re working with a blend, like a polyester/cotton mix, it’s a good idea to test the hotknife on a scrap piece of fabric before you cut your project. If it smokes or starts to smell, it’s best to use scissors or a rotary cutter on the material instead.